Farmers urged to improve tobacco grading

Farmers have been urged to improve grading, baling and presentation of their crop as prices begin to firm on both contract and auction floors in Zimbabwe's 2026 tobacco marketing season.

The season has opened with a high volume of lower leaf positions, commonly known as primings, which typically attract lower prices compared to upper leaf grades. This has resulted in mixed pricing outcomes, although stronger bids are beginning to emerge as better-quality tobacco enters the market.

During a tour of the selling floors, Agriculture, Mechanisation and Water Resources Development Minister Anxious Masuka said early market trends are being influenced by the type of leaf currently on offer.

"At this stage of the season, most of what is coming to the floors is lower leaf positions, and this is what is predominantly on offer," he said.

He noted that prices are expected to improve as higher-grade leaf begins to dominate deliveries, pointing to early signs of recovery in market performance.

Leaf director at Ethical Sales Floor, Gardner Magandi, said pricing is closely tied to both leaf position and crop preparation standards.

"As we move up the plant, the prices start to appreciate," he said, adding that top prices have already reached US$4.94 per kilogram on the auction floors.

Magandi stressed that proper curing, grading and presentation remain key factors in determining how much farmers earn.

"Tobacco that is well graded, well cured and well-presented is going to fetch a good price," he said.

He added that market activity is expected to strengthen as higher-quality deliveries increase, following the typical seasonal pattern where early sales are dominated by lower-grade leaf.

The developments signal a gradual shift in the market as Zimbabwe's tobacco sector moves from initial low-value sales toward higher-value offerings that usually define the peak of the marketing season.